Edo 2020: Labour Party Candidate Urges Edo People to Reject APC Governorship Candidate

By Simeon OSAJIE

Labour Party Governorship candidate in the forthcoming 19 September Edo governorship election,  Dr. Isaiah Osifo has called on Edo people to reject  Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, because of the legal action filed by a lawyer over the failure of him (Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu) to inform the management of the Nigerian Law School that he was rusticated for two years due to his involvement in secret cult activities.

Osifo, a former chairman of Uhunmode Local Government Area Council and Chief of Staff to former Edo state governor, Prof. Osarhiemen Osunbor made the call at a press briefing in Benin noting that the Labour party has stated this in several fora that the APC as a party and the candidate lack the credentials of good politics, morality and law. 

"APC should not be an option in the Edo State 2020 Governorship Election by reason of lack of good politics in Edo State chapter of APC and moral disability of APC governorship candidate."

According to the Labour Party candidate,  "there is equally an ongoing criminal prosecution against Osagie Ize-Iyamu over money laundering.  It is sad to note that a person facing interrogation from a legal action filed by a lawyer over secret cult related activities while he was a university student in addition to his ongoing criminal trial on financial matters is the same person seeking to occupy the exalted office of governor of Edo State. Where is the good politics in the decision of APC to sponsor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as its Edo state governorship candidate? Where is the morality in the ambition of Osagie Ize-Iyamu? 

"My party is aware of the civility of issues based electioneering campaigns. It is important for the public to know and appreciate that the character and antecedent of the candidate and the most important issues to be considered in electoral choice.  The character and the antecedent of the candidate are the social tools for measuring the expectation of any aspiring government."

Dr. Osifo recalled how in 2016 when former Edo state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole publicly insulted  the then PDP candidate Osagie Ize-Iyamu during the campaign period of APC. 

Labour party statement reads, "The former national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole in 2016 when he was governor of Edo state publicly said that Osagie Ize-Iyamu was a thief, cultist, fake pastor and not fit to occupy any public office, let alone the office of the Governor of Edo State.  Neither Adams Oshiomhole, the present undertaker of Edo State APC candidate, nor the candidate.  Osagie Ize-Iyamu is willing to refer to the antecedent and character of Edo State APC governorship candidate. Edo state electorates should avoid, detest and reject the candidate that is in a continuous avoidance-avoidance frustration of his past records and his desperate undertaker. Any candidate that is not proud of his or her past records  is not fit to be the Governor of Edo state."

He therefore called on President Muhammad Buhari and INEC and all agencies responsible for the conduct of elections in Nigeria to be on the side of the people of Edo State by ensuring the conduct of a peaceful, free and fair election. 

Dr. Osifo said, "Edo people are morally conscious and they should enjoy the right of free choice. Edo people cannot be fooled. Enough is enough, the statement concluded.